Kinetic air dispenser

ABSTRACT

An apparatus useful for disseminating volatile liquid such as fragrance into an atmosphere from an evaporating surface adapted to oscillate in the atmosphere. Oscillation is caused and maintained by means of two magnets, one a permanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, one of which is attached to the evaporating surface. The electromagnet is caused to repel the permanent magnet at such points in the oscillation that the oscillation is maintained.

[0001] This invention relates to a an apparatus or device fordissemination of volatile liquid into an atmosphere, e.g., an airtreatment material which uses kinetic motion to achieve thisdissemination.

[0002] The invention provides an apparatus adapted to disseminatevolatile liquid into an atmosphere, dissemination being effected by anevaporation surface that is caused to oscillate in the atmosphere withrespect to a stationary support by means of the repulsion of a pair ofmagnets, one attached to the evaporation surface, the other to thesupport, one being a permanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, theelectromagnet being actuated or operating in such a manner as tomaintain the oscillation.

[0003] The invention further provides a method of disseminating avolatile liquid into an atmosphere, comprising causing an evaporationsurface that is supplied with liquid to oscillate in the atmosphere, theoscillation being maintained by means of a pair of magnets, one apermanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, one of these beingattached to the evaporation surface, the electromagnet being caused torepel the permanent magnet at a suitable point in the oscillation suchthat the oscillation is maintained.

[0004] By “oscillate” is meant a pendulum-like, back-and-forth motion ina plane perpendicular to the axis of oscillation, usually a verticalplane.

[0005] By “attached to the evaporation surface” is meant that the magnetis attached or otherwise mounted to the surface directly or indirectly,or alternately mounted in or upon part of the oscillating portion orbody portion in such a manner that the two magnets may be brought intosufficiently close proximity that magnetic repulsion can cause thecontinuation of oscillation when the device operates.

[0006] The use of magnets to create such oscillation is well known andhas been employed, for example, in “executive toys” or “kinetic art”.However, the concept that such motion may be utilised in a practicalapplication, rather than for purely decorative or amusement purposes, isnew.

[0007] In a typical apparatus (device) according to the invention, thereis present a stationary support in which there is included anelectromagnet equipped with a power source. (It is possible, althoughless preferred, that the electromagnet be attached to the evaporatingsurface, but further description of the invention will be restricted tothe variant with the electromagnet in the stationary support). This maybe any suitable power source, for example, mains electricity, battery orsolar cells. From the stationary support extend at least one, preferablytwo support arms, which pivotally support the oscillating portion of thedevice by means of at least one, preferably two coaxial pivot armsextending therefrom, thus defining the axis of oscillation. Theoscillating portion comprises an upright body portion perpendicular tothe axis of oscillation when it is mounted on the support and whichextends both above and below the axis of oscillation. At or near thelowest region of the oscillating portion of the device there is provideda permanent magnet which, when the electromagnet is deactivated, is heldjust clear of the stationary support. The electromagnet in thestationary support is situated just below this point. That part of thebody portion that extends above the axis of oscillation is preferablydimensioned so as to partially counterbalance the permanent magnet. Mostdesirably however, the body portion containing the permanent magnet orthe oscillating portion containing the permanent magnet should always beheavier, so that it will tend to hang lower, under the influence ofgravity. The body portion may be a removable unit which may be removablyaffixed or mounted to the oscillating portion which cradles the bodyportion; alternately the oscillating portion is the same as the bodyportion of the device. According to one preferred embodiment thepermanent magnet is mounted in or upon part of the oscillating portion.According to a different preferred embodiment the permanent magnet ismounted in or upon the body portion.

[0008] In use, the electromagnet is activated and the oscillatingportion manually pushed to start its oscillation. Such oscillation ispreferably pendular, with the oscillating portion swinging in a verticalplane perpendicular to the axis of oscillation. Of course, motion inother directions is also contemplated although less preferred, includingin a horizontal direction or other orientation. The magnets present inthe device are set such that, when power is applied to theelectromagnet, its polarity will oppose that of the permanent magnet andrepel it; this repulsion causes the oscillating portion to be given aboost each time the magnet in the oscillating portion passes theelectromagnet, thus maintaining the oscillatory motion of the device.

[0009] The power supplied to the electromagnet may be regulated by anysuitable electromagnet control means. One such means which isparticularly preferred is by the use of a timer or timer circuit. Onactivation and deflection, power is applied to the electromagnet forsufficient time to push the oscillating portion of the device to fulldeflection away from the electromagnet. At this point, the power to theelectromagnet is cut. As the oscillating portion continues to oscillate,it loses energy on each swing and thus the angle of deflection is lesseach time, however these losses are compensated for by the action of thepermanent magnet. The power to the permanent magnet may be controlled bya timer which is set to activate just above the minimum deflectionpoint, e.g., when the permanent magnet and the electromagnet overlap orin near proximity to one another. This is determined by the minimumdeflection from vertical in which the oscillating portion needs to bemoved (with power on) to allow the electromagnet to push the oscillatingportion to full deflection. The power is then continued until such timeas the oscillating portion reaches full deflection again. This mechanismallows for conservation of battery power and the extension of theoverall operational period of the apparatus with a single set ofbatteries. Alternately, the electromagnet control means may, instead ofa timer or timer circuit utilize a power control circuit which variesthe power output of the electromagnet in order to impel a suitabledeflection of the oscillating portion from the electromagnet. In afurther alternative power supply to the electromagnet may be regulatedby a switch circuit which includes one or more electrical contacts whichfunction as switches are mounted on either the support arm(s) or thecoaxial pivot arm(s) or both, such that during oscillation of theoscillating portion power is supplied to the electromagnet when thepermanent magnet and the electromagnet overlap or in near proximity toone another, which would then energize the electromagnet and deflect theoscillating portion. Such an arrangement could be achieved by providinga small area of an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal foil)on part of the coaxial pivot arm(s) which would bridge two spaced apartelectrical leads within the support arm(s) on which the coaxial pivotarm(s) are mounted, such that when the permanent magnet and theelectromagnet overlap or in near proximity to one another the said smallarea bridges the electrical leads, an electrical circuit is closed andthe electromagnet is energized. When the oscillating portion furtheroscillates away from this position, the electrically conductive material(e.g., metal foil) on part of the coaxial pivot arm(s) disengages one orboth of the electrical leads and thereby breaks the electrical circuit,until the oscillating portion returns from the apogee of its swing andreturns.

[0010] The evaporating surface may be any suitable evaporating surface.For example, it may be a porous wick of the type well known in existingair fresheners. This wick conveys liquid from a reservoir within theoscillating body portion to an interface with the atmosphere, theoscillation of which causes the liquid to evaporate into the atmosphere.Preferably, this wick should terminate in a relatively large evaporationsurface. This may be provided, for example, by making the wick with aflattened end, or by providing a standard cylindrical wick with a flatevaporating surface. In the latter case, the cylindrical wick is aprimary wick and the flat surface a secondary wick. The secondary wickmay be of any suitable configuration, and it may be solid, porous orperforated to any desired degree. In a practical embodiment, either orboth of the primary and secondary wicks would be enclosed by anysuitable means to prevent their being touched. In all embodiments theevaporating surface is in fluid communication with the contents of thereservoir.

[0011] A reservoir is situated within the oscillating portion or withinthe body portion. It is preferably located such that it is close to theaxis of oscillation, so that the gradual emptying of the reservoir wouldhave a reduced effect on the period of oscillation. The reservoir ispreferably a detachable reservoir, so that the apparatus may easily bereplenished.

[0012] If desired, evaporation from the evaporation surface may byaugmented by forced ventilation from a fan or other suitable means.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir and one or both of theprimary and secondary wicks are supplied as a single unit, so that theapparatus can easily and quickly be refilled, by removing an empty unitand replacing it with a full one. In another preferred variant of thisembodiment, the secondary wick comprising the evaporation surfaceremains on the apparatus and the reservoir and primary wick are suppliedas a single refill, sealed by any suitable means, such as a screw cap ora foil. The refill may then be fitted into the oscillating body by anysuitable means, such as screwing or snap-fitting into place.

[0014] In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the body portioncomprises a reservoir and wick as a single unit, which body portion isremovable from the oscillating portion of the device.

[0015] The volatile liquid may be any liquid air treatment materialwhose presence in an atmosphere is desired. Typical examples includefragrances, disinfectants, insecticides, fungicides and medicaments. Anespecially useful application of the apparatus of the invention is as anair freshener in homes or hotel rooms.

[0016] The invention is now further described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which depict a preferred embodiment, and are notintended to be limiting in any way on the scope of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to theinvention.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

[0019] A body portion generally indicated as 1, is pivotally mounted ona base 2 by means of two raised arms 3 with cutouts 4 adapted to receivehorizontal axles 5 of a cradle 6 into which the body portion 1 tightlyfits. From the top of the body portion 1 extends a vane-like wick 7.Beneath the bottom of the cradle in the base is an electromagnet 8,which receives power from a battery 9 mounted within the base. Into thebottom of the cradle 6 is fixed a permanent magnet 10. The dimensions ofthe various parts are selected such that the cradle with the bodyportion can swing freely, with the permanent magnet 10 narrowly clearingthe top of the base where the electromagnet 8 is housed, such that theswitching on of the electromagnet will cause the permanent magnet to berepelled.

[0020] The body portion 1 consists of two parts, a cap 11 and areservoir 12 containing the liquid to be evaporated 13. From thevane-like wick 7 there extends downwards into the liquid a cylindricalwick 14 that is integral with the vane-like wick 7. The liquid rises upthis cylindrical wick 14 to the vane-like wick 7.

[0021] The cap 11 and the reservoir 12 are held together by cooperatingscrew threads 15, one thread being provided in the interior of the cap11 and the other provided in the exterior of a closure 16 that issnap-fitted on to a neck 17 of the reservoir 12. The cylindrical wick 14passes through orifices in the closure 16 and the cap 11 and is a tightfit within them.

[0022] In operation, the body portion 1 is manually started oscillatingand the electromagnet 8 is actuated. Timing circuitry (not shown)switches the electromagnet on and off such that a repelling magneticforce is applied to the permanent magnet as it passes over theelectromagnet. The oscillation is thus kept going.

[0023] The skilled person will realise that there are many variations ofthe apparatus of this invention that can be produced and which fallwithin the scope of this invention. For example, there are manypossibilities of construction of the body portion and the wick, allowingfor the possibility of different refills and different wicks (such as,as previously mentioned, separate primary and secondary wicks).

1. An apparatus adapted to disseminate volatile liquid into anatmosphere, comprising: a stationary support an electromagnet equippedwith a power source, an electromagnet control means and at least onestationary support arm extending from the stationary support; anoscillating portion having at least one pivot arm extending therefrompivotally mounted upon the at least one stationary support arm, apermanent magnet at or near the lowest region of the oscillatingportion, a reservoir containing a liquid air treatment material in fluidcommunication with an evaporating surface; wherein the operation of theelectromagnet control means maintains oscillatory motion of theoscillating portion with respect to the stationary support anddissemination of the air treatment material to the atmosphere.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the oscillating portion includesa body portion.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein theoscillating portion is a body portion.
 4. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the electromagnet control includes a timer or timercircuit.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electromagnetcontrol means is a power control circuit.
 6. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the electromagnetic control means is a switch circuit.7. An apparatus according to claim 1 which comprises a primary wick anda secondary wick.
 8. A method of disseminating a volatile liquid into anatmosphere, comprising the steps of providing an apparatus according toclaim 1, operating the device and thereby causing the oscillation of theoscillating portion of the device, the oscillation being maintained bymeans of a pair of magnets of the device, to cause an evaporationsurface that is supplied with liquid to oscillate in the atmosphere.